Sure, I think it's harder than one could imagine
I have been influenced by so many authors, that I find myself trying to imitate, to copy, to write like !
And it, naturally, won't work, and will lead you to disppointment !
Maybe you have to pass through this before you forge your own style, freed from this tendancy of mimesis !
I would like to know your opinion about it !
How I wish I could edit my posts!
Mehdi - - You are asking about how/why one can copy and learn from other authors but at the same time refrain from copying their style of writing ??
I think Renee and Damien have done absolute justice to your question. :D True, every Jack, Henry ,Charles, Andrea or Lily in this world would have a bit of Shakespeare, Wordsworth, or Tennyson.... :)
No one can be blamed for having a style like this author or that author. It is very natural. In this literary environment, authors affect authors, authors motivate authors, authors encourage authors and authors do discourage authors. xD!
But I think sooner or later, one develops his/her own style.We forge our style of writing; we create a exquisite style which in turn is revered and copied by another budding author.
Hi Renne and Damian
I was talking less about what to say (all this stuff of "everything was already said" "there's nothing new to say") than how to say it (and trying to be original doing this) !
It is more about having your own style, your own voice if you prefer (taking everything from authors that had influenced you but escaping from copying them, and trying to write in their style)
And in this filed I feel like I still am like a chameleon !!! (